The Dallas daily herald. [volume] (Dallas, Tex.) 1873-1887, 1887-11-22
REFORMING DRUNKARDs.
How a New York Business Man
Secures E6lciont Clerks.


Business men Of enterprise frequent
iy have novel ideas. says q letter from
New York, but probably the most Curl
Gus mode Of conducting trade that has
come to light even in this city of odd
freaks, is that adopted by q wholesale
dealer in notions and dry goods on
Broadway near Howard street His
name is kown to dealers in that line OF
goods through the country, and his
store is probably one of the largest OF
This kind, but. as his secret was confid.
ed to me under the promise not to re-
veal his identity, feel bound to with.
hold it, at the same time vouching for
the correctness Of the story
NV friend became acquainted with this
merchants peculiar idea through bust
ness intercourse. A week ago he en-
Tered the store, intending to purchase
Tome dry goods that had been advertis-
I'd very cheap. AS he stepped over
The threshold he was acc0sted by
clerk who at once attracted his atten-
lion. He was a man past middle age,
with shabby genteel air that was very
Ills luCC WIS OlOuNCd,
his eyes blinked and were red. his
hands trembled, and his breath was re-
iolent of strong drink. My friend was
amazed, and looked around to see II
iome salesman of more prepossessing
appearance would not present himself
70 his intense surprise, of the half doz-
on clerks in sight all had the same air
Of dilap dated gentility. Before he
,ould collect his senses the man beside
him began to inquire as to the particu-
ar style of goods he desired to see.
His voice, though harsh and discord-
ant, had some pleasing and attractive
qualities, and it was evident that his
understanding of the business was
thorough.
A few days later, he met q person
who was thoroughly acquainted with
The proprietor of the dry goods store,
from whom he learned the secret of the
Ialesman's appearance. 1t seems that
The merchant concealed the idea of en-
Dloying as statesmen as many broken
Town merchants in his line of business
rs he could find. He discovered that
most of the ex-employers who had fail
I'd. and whom he could expect to secure
1t such salaries rs he was willing to pay,
we're men whoes downfall was mainly
1ue to intemperance.
He discharged ali tho sober clerks
md employed new batch of broken-
Town merchants. Then he gathered
Them all together and told them the con-
iitions under which they would have to
work. He first reminded them of their
failing and told them that they would
have TO curb It,
Now. gentleman" he is alleged to
nave said. at is not to be presumed
that, inasmuch rs you could not keep
iober when your own business interests
were involved. you will be able under
ordinary circumstances to stop drink
Ing because | want you to do SO. Even
i you don't get drunk during business
hours your bats at night will probably
lncapacitate you for work the next
day." 'The only way to prevent that
Is TO keep you from temptation even
when you are not actually at work.
That will be for your interests as well as
for mine. What l am going to do is
this: am going to fix up rooms for
you on the top floor where you can stay
at night and sleep. l will have your
meals sent from a restaurant near by
and you will be well fed at my expense.
You must not leave this establishment
except with my permission. but will
zee that you get plenty of fresh air and
out door exercise. will pR you we'll ,
and will expect you to do your utmost
to sell my goods just as though you
we're yourselves the proprietors. At
any time you want to quit, of course
gou need only say so. In order to sat
lsfy your cravings for drink, you will
receive regular rations of whisky every
day. BY gradually diminishing the
quantity, the grip It has upon you will
be loosened. You can save money and
with perseverance you will be able to
give up your bad habits and once more
become respectable members of So
ciety.
Nearly all acceded to the conditions
Some have dropped out by breaking the
rules, for the proprietor is very strict,
but most of them have observed them
faithfully. A few have been able to
overcome their passion and have start
ed in business for themselves again.
As they drop out their places are filed
by new men. As far as the proprietor
is concerned. he Is said to have found
1t profitable plan.